Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-02-14
THE BIRTHDAY OF LINCOLN.
Ceiebeation by the Republican Club OF
New York City-Banquet and Toast,
at Observation-Disclosures of Regret from
Me.srs. Blaine and HamIin.
NEW YoRK Esh IL

New YoRK, Feb. u.
Delmonicos ball room has seldom Wit
messed such a gathering of republicans a.
met within its salls tonight TO Ct celebrate Lin
coins birthday. 1t vas ,hs irst aanuSl din.
ner of the Republican Club. whicii aims bv
an annual gathering 0f parry leaders 10 pro-
mote good feeling snd fellowship in the re-
publican ranks The club is an outgrowth
OF the Young Republican Club, established a
NUMBER of years ago. The LA lie was
changed last year, club house secured and
measures taken to increase the membership.
Under this change the club has gro~n very
rapidly. IL resolved to add an annual dinner
to promote party fellowship as one OF It's
oolscis, and for this purpose it chose the
birthdtv OF the martyred President AS the
most hitting time TO hold the dinner Invita-
tlons were sent TO all the republican COVER
nols IN the United States snu 10 other promi-
nent party leaders, many of whom responded
IN person tonight Altogether. 275 persons
SAT down 10 thS dinner. reception to the
guests took place in the reception room at
0; 80 T. VI. There vas much good humor
ana pleasant conversation during the recep-
ton. At p NJ President Foster and Seua-
tor Hawley led the way to the dininG room,
to the music of Cappas band. A large por-
trait Of Lincoln, with flags and flowers, com.
were five tables, arranged lengthwise of the
room. and one at the south end for the presl-
deut and quests, About 30 more were seat
ed At a table in the adjoining room. Each
table was marked with large floral piece
representing II letter in Lincoin's name. lhe
two on the guests table represented al" and
a; each one of the other five letters, IN,
"C,""O," L. an" marking one of the
main tables. President james 7. Foster
presided over the guests table, supported on
his right by Senator Joseph X. Hasiey, G ".
}. Is. Foraker, Senator Benjamin ilarrlsou,
Senator-elect Hiscuck, State Senator Hen
bricks, Lew 2. Morton, Judge 7 Cox of
Utica, aud ex- Speaker Gi.usha A. Grow. AT
Mr.. Fosters lett hand sat Cnsuucey NJ De-
pew, Gov. Oglesby, GOV LOunsbury, Sens
tor Aidrich, ex Chiet Justice Noah Davis,
Speaker James w. Huhed, ex Gov A. b
Cornell, Congressman n-elect Henry CaoJt
Dodge, ex-senator Thomas Z. Plat and ex-
Gov. Foster.
The list of toasts were as follows: "rhe
Republican Club of the City of New York
James Foster; Abraham Lincoln" Joseph
H. Hawley; The Empire State" Senator
elect Hlscock; The Republican Party"
Gov. Foraker; "Retorm of the Party Within
the Parry" Senator Harrison; Young Men
i'll Poiiuc.." Cnauncey M. Depew; 81 he
War Governors" Gov. Oslesby; "Republi-
can Clubs ss Agencies of Parry Oreanlza-
TONS +. /. Bartlett; "A Tariff for Prot,c
lion,' Galusl,a A. Grow; Civil Service
Reform" Henry Cabot Lodge; Our Ltgs-
lators," Speaker Hustled.
President FotIer raped for order soon
after O'clock and made a bret address in
| behalf of the Republican Club.
Among the letters read was the following
from Hon. Hannibal liamlin:
BANGOR, Feb. 7, 1887
Dear sir-l have the honor 10 ack ,uWlcdge
the receipt of your note of the - inst In-
closing an invitation to attend the first an
nual dinner 10 be given Feb. IL, the aHnl-
versary of Lncoln's birthday at Delmon
ico's. | regret exceedingly my inability to
be present on that occasion. | would BE-
glad to testify by my presence my high ap-
probation of Mr.. Lincoln and pay homage
| to his memory ana worth, but my engage
ments are such that | cannot do so. Your
club has wisely acted in making this The
commencement of an annual observance OF
Mr.. Lincons birthday. The day snould be
made national, like the birthday OF Washing
ton. Let each be appropriately observed as
one of the best things to inculcate upon those
who in the ages shall come after ia. 1t Is
patriotic and it serves to promote love OF
country and keep alive and fresh memory
of patriotic men. 10 haste,
Yours truly, HANNIBAL HAMLIN.
letter from Mr.. Blaine was also read,
which we publish on our second page.